With the rapid development of generative AI, many are beginning to question its ethical impact on both their daily lives and society as a whole.
One of the biggest concerns is the potential displacement of humans in the labour market; and this is already happening. The New York Times recently published an opinion piece by LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, noting that the emergence of this technology has begun to shake up the entry-level job market. Other concerns include AI-driven crimes and how to hold perpetrators accountable, as well as the overdependence on AI tools among those seeking psychological support.
The Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues (ELSI) Centre at Seoul National University’s AI Institute is a department devoted to exploring the ethical dimensions of AI.
“Today, we face new challenges arising from the inherent characteristics of AI,” said Cheon Hyun-deuk, the head of the ELSI Centre and an associate professor in Science Studies, speaking to 4i MAG.
“One is technological delegation — when responsibility is handed over to machines, questions arise about who is accountable when something goes wrong.
“Another is the increasing concern around job displacement due to generative AI. As AI becomes more capable of replacing human labour, understanding the implications of this shift is becoming crucial.”
Through a range of public events and regular publications, ELSI has been working to highlight ethical concerns around AI to a wider audience.
“Current AI discourse is dominated by a rush to keep up with rapid technological development. There’s a fear that only those who adapt quickly to new technology will survive, and those who don’t will be left behind,” Cheon said.
“We need to think together about how to design and use technology from the very start of its development. While international organisations are creating governance systems, regulations and laws, those alone are not enough.
“Citizens must also be aware of how such technologies work and how they impact our lives — civic-driven governance is essential.”
